Disney seems to be trying to do a little more for passholders

[BellaOfTheWorld]

Pete & Co. have talked about this a lot on the podcast in the past, and I agree: Disney does very little for passholders, especially considering how much money we pump into the Mouse when you think about how often many passholders go to The World (being from Tampa, my family and I are there all the time, and invest thousands of dollars a year to WDW).

They SEEM to be trying, anyway. At least some little things are becoming available. The lithographs we picked up at DTD a month or so ago are actually very, very nice. They have a series of pretty cool presentations they are making available to passholders to attend if you're interested (a couple speaking events in March), and the latest Mickey Monitor says that if you bring your pass to The World Of Disney at DTD, you get a set of free lanyards (with pins too).

Little things, but it's a step in the right direction.

I'd like to see passholders get free admission into one hard-ticket event a year, or something like that. Or have EMH for just Annual Passholders on certain nights. Or a complimentary meal at a table service restaurant once a year. Or an Annual Passholder PARTY...similar to MNSSHP or the MVMCP - but to "CELEBRATE" Passholders and all they do for WDW...

 

[ADP]

Couldn't agree more Bella. They've added a number of passholder events and sneak peaks over the past 6 months. There were quite a few during Mousefest. Disney knew many of us passholders would be there during that time so they offered quite a bit; specifically, the early shopping sale at DTD, the Cinderella Castle Suite tour, the American Idol sneak peak and the backstage Jingle Jungle parade experience.

So, yea..They are trying, but there's still a ways to go in my opinion. I'd like to see some sort of points-based loyalty system. For instance; everytime you enter the parks with your annual pass you receive points good towards buying Disney merchandise.

I'm hoping (doubt it will materialize) that the new secret "23" promotion will have something to do with a new loyalty program. One can hope I guess.

 

[BellaOfTheWorld]

Couldn't agree more Bella. They've added a number of passholder events and sneak peaks over the past 6 months. There were quite a few during Mousefest. Disney knew many of us passholders would be there during that time so they offered quite a bit; specifically, the early shopping sale at DTD, the Cinderella Castle Suite tour, the American Idol sneak peak and the backstage Jingle Jungle parade experience.

So, yea..They are trying, but there's still a ways to go in my opinion. I'd like to see some sort of points-based loyalty system. For instance; everytime you enter the parks with your annual pass you receive points good towards buying Disney merchandise.

I'm hoping (doubt it will materialize) that the new secret "23" promotion will have something to do with a new loyalty program. One can hope I guess.

Yes, that's a GREAT idea about a reward points system. I'd have RACKED UP the points by now.

And the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of Disney celebrating their passholders with an after-hours bash, like the other hard-ticket events. It would go very well with their 2009 Celebrate promotion.

I think Disney needs to consider that in these tough economic times, the more goodies they provide for people like potential passholders, the more likely they will be to go ahead and purchase those annual passes. Perceived value is where it's at; and they could do MANY things (parties, points, etc.) that would cost the company relatively little and would give the annual pass a much, much greater perceived value. Everybody wins there - passholders and the Disney Co.

 

[LilGMom]

Pete & Co. have talked about this a lot on the podcast in the past, and I agree: Disney does very little for passholders, especially considering how much money we pump into the Mouse when you think about how often many passholders go to The World (being from Tampa, my family and I are there all the time, and invest thousands of dollars a year to WDW).

They SEEM to be trying, anyway. At least some little things are becoming available. The lithographs we picked up at DTD a month or so ago are actually very, very nice. They have a series of pretty cool presentations they are making available to passholders to attend if you're interested (a couple speaking events in March), and the latest Mickey Monitor says that if you bring your pass to The World Of Disney at DTD, you get a set of free lanyards (with pins too).

Little things, but it's a step in the right direction.

I'd like to see passholders get free admission into one hard-ticket event a year, or something like that. Or have EMH for just Annual Passholders on certain nights. Or a complimentary meal at a table service restaurant once a year. Or an Annual Passholder PARTY...similar to MNSSHP or the MVMCP - but to "CELEBRATE" Passholders and all they do for WDW...

I love the idea of PHs being able to get into a hard ticket event either free or half-price. Saving $5 on a hard-ticket event isn't much of an incentive for me. Of course at this point and time I'd just love to actually get my Mickey Monitor once in awhile.

 

[Mickey_Man]

I love the idea of PHs being able to get into a hard ticket event either free or half-price. Saving $5 on a hard-ticket event isn't much of an incentive for me. Of course at this point and time I'd just love to actually get my Mickey Monitor once in awhile.

I am so glad you mentioned the Mickey Monitor!! DW & I are both AP holders and in the two years that we have had APs, we have gotten a total of three Mickey Monitors, two addressed to her and 1 to me. What gives with that? I have even called to try and get them sent to us, and we haven't received them. Does anyone else have that problem??

On the original topic, I totally agree that having an AP doesn't feel that rewarding. Being from CT, some of our having the AP is just b/c we like it - I am not even sure if it will be the best value for us next year. Last year we went to the World three times (marathon weekend, 11 days in the summer, mousefest) so we definitely got our value. This upcoming year, we only have the 11 day trip planned. I think we may get just 1 AP (for the dining card), but I am not sure we will both get one. I have no incentive at this point. If they offered some of what is listed here, I'd have more reason to buy the AP.

 

[manhattan]

I love the idea of PHs being able to get into a hard ticket event either free or half-price. Saving $5 on a hard-ticket event isn't much of an incentive for me. Of course at this point and time I'd just love to actually get my Mickey Monitor once in awhile.

Same here and we are five AP holders in my family and haven't received a MM in over 2 years!

I would love to see some weekend resort discounts. Couple of weeks ago I got a great deal for the weekend, so I packed my bags and dragged my daughters with me. I would rather spend my weekends at Disney than at home cleaning

 

[BellaOfTheWorld]

Yeah, I don't understand the MM situation either. There are 4 passholders in our family and we only received 1 copy.

Unless they have a restriction that says 1 copy per household, I'm not sure why 3 of us didn't get the Monitor.

Fortunately, you can view the PDF of the piece on the passholder section of the official site.

 

[BriarRosie]

I agree with some of the ideas, but I think Disney already made a dining concession to us by allowing us to buy DDE (aka Tables in Wonderland now).
I remember when it was restricted to Florida residents only.

I'm just happy that they linked DVC to the AP perks by finally giving us a discount. When I applied my Visa rewards points towards the cost of my AP renewal, I paid the equivalent of a 3 day hopper.

 

[Carolinagal]

My family has regularly purchased the APs about every two years, and take 2 or three trips during the life of the AP (we average a trip every 8 months or so). We stay onsite at Deluxe resorts, and eat all meals at Disney restaurants.

This year, to my dismay, I have learned that the AP room discounts that I love so well are no longer available on the weekends Friday through Sunday! This is a significant difference for us, and has me rethinking future trips. At the very least, I may have to consider staying off-site, which would make it a lot easier to eat off-site as well. That's a whole bunch of dollars being spent other than at Disneyworld!

If this stays in effect, the AP benefits for me are limited to room discounts 4 days a week, and park hopping privileges. I'll have to think long and hard to determine if that is worth it for us. And sadly, I may have to limit our trips to every other year, to have the experience we love so well.

 

[rtobe]

This year, to my dismay, I have learned that the AP room discounts that I love so well are no longer available on the weekends Friday through Sunday! This is a significant difference for us, and has me rethinking future trips. At the very least, I may have to consider staying off-site, which would make it a lot easier to eat off-site as well. That's a whole bunch of dollars being spent other than at Disneyworld!

I agree totally. I have a DVC membership but not tons of points and AP but I like the long weekend getaway when airfare cooperates. Disney however doesn't seem to think that it AP holders are worth discount. I am baffled as to why the room at Pop Century is $69 on Thurs. night and $135 on Friday and Saturday night and back to $69 on Sunday for early March (yes, I understand spring break). Given what we've seen with $250 gift cards and 40% off deals not limited to Sun-Thurs and $500 gift cards and reports that hotel occupancy is way down - you would think that Disney could do something to encourage their AP guests to stay on-site.

And the Mickey Monitor thing. I remember one of the lithograph things which required you bring the coupon (not a reproduction) from the Mickey Monitor, so I called Disney and told them I did not receive it. They said you can read it on-line. I politely pointed out that I had, wanted to take advantage of the offer and needed the actual printed from Disney copy. The CM reluctantly looked at the page and agreed to send me a copy - which I got 2 months after the expiration of coupon.

leaving soapbox now

 

[mrzrich]

As an AP holder I am always bringing non-AP holders to the parks with me. I wish Disney gave a discount to AP holders on the purchase of guest tickets. Busch Gardens gives an $8-$10 discount on tickets for the guests of AP holders.

Busch also gives a discount on Stroller rental to AP holders.

 

[bawstngrl]

I would really like to see them give one free ticket to separately priced event.

And definitely a discount on a ticket to bring in non AP guests.